Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Association of heavy metal complex exposure and neurobehavioral function of children.","authors":"Minkeun Kim,&nbsp;Chulyong Park,&nbsp;Joon Sakong,&nbsp;Shinhee Ye,&nbsp;So Young Son,&nbsp;Kiook Baek","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e23","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Exposure to heavy metals is a public health concern worldwide. Previous studies on the association between heavy metal exposure and neurobehavioral functions in children have focused on single exposures and clinical manifestations. However, the present study evaluated the effects of heavy metal complex exposure on subclinical neurobehavioral function using a Korean Computerized Neurobehavior Test (KCNT).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Urinary mercury, lead, cadmium analyses as well as symbol digit substitution (SDS) and choice reaction time (CRT) tests of the KCNT were conducted in children aged between 10 and 12 years. Reaction time and urinary heavy metal levels were analyzed using partial correlation, linear regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), the weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and quantile G-computation analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants of 203 SDS tests and 198 CRT tests were analyzed, excluding poor cooperation and inappropriate urine sample. Partial correlation analysis revealed no association between neurobehavioral function and exposure to individual heavy metals. The result of multiple linear regression shows significant positive association between urinary lead, mercury, and CRT. BMKR, WQS regression and quantile G-computation analysis showed a statistically significant positive association between complex urinary heavy metal concentrations, especially lead and mercury, and reaction time.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Assuming complex exposures, urinary heavy metal concentrations showed a statistically significant positive association with CRT. These results suggest that heavy metal complex exposure during childhood should be evaluated and managed strictly.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"35 ","pages":"e23"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/78/47/aoem-35-e23.PMC10442582.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10065846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Occupational stress changes and new-onset depression among male Korean manufacturing workers.","authors":"Jiho Kim,&nbsp;Hwan-Cheol Kim,&nbsp;Minsun Kim,&nbsp;Seong-Cheol Yang,&nbsp;Shin-Goo Park,&nbsp;Jong-Han Leem,&nbsp;Dong-Wook Lee","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e33","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e33","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Studies on the association between occupational stress and depression have been frequently reported. However, the cross-sectional designs of studies limited insight into causal associations. In this study, we investigated the longitudinal association between occupational stress and new-onset depression among employees in a single manufacturing plant.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The annual health checkup data of employees at a manufacturing plant in Korea were collected. A total of 1,837 male employees without depression who completed a health checkup during two consecutive years were included. Occupational stress was measured using a short form of the Korea Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS-SF), and depression was assessed using a Patient Health Questionnaire-2. The association between occupational stress change over the two years and newly developed depression was investigated using two logistic regression models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across all sub-factors of KOSS-SF, employees who reported increased occupational stress had a higher risk of new-onset depression. Newly developed depression was significantly associated with job demand (odds ratio [OR]: 4.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.37-7.96), job insecurity (OR: 3.21; 95% CI: 1.89-5.48), occupational climate (OR: 3.18; 95% CI: 1.91-5.31), lack of reward (OR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.26-4.12), interpersonal conflict (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.18-3.86), insufficient job control (OR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.05-3.56), and the organizational system (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.01-3.36).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>For every sub-factor of the KOSS-SF, occupational stress increase and persistent high stress were associated with the risk of developing new-onset depression. Among the seven sub-factors, job demand had the most significant effect. Our results show that occupational stress should be managed to promote employee mental healthcare.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"35 ","pages":"e33"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/2b/98/aoem-35-e33.PMC10493372.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10232597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between shift work and serum homocysteine level in female electronic manufacturing services workers.","authors":"Jae Won Lim,&nbsp;Chan Woo Kim,&nbsp;Hyoung Ouk Park,&nbsp;Eui Yup Chung,&nbsp;Changho Chae,&nbsp;JunSeok Son,&nbsp;Young Hoo Shin,&nbsp;Seung Hyun Park,&nbsp;Sang Moon Choi","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Shift work has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) based on several evidences. The classic risk factors of CVD include age, hypertension, smoking, obesity and diabetes. Recently, the serum homocysteine level has been reported to be a valuable indicator of CVD risk. This study aimed to determine the variation in serum homocysteine level as a cardiovascular risk indicator among female workers according to shift work.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The data of regular health examination of workers at an electronic manufacturing services company in Yeongnam region, South Korea in 2019 were examined in this study. The investigation was based on a cross-sectional study conducted on 697 female workers (199 day workers and 498 shift workers). The sociodemographic and biochemical characteristics were compared between day workers and shift workers. Through a logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) of the increased serum homocysteine level in relation to shift work was determined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared to female day workers, female shift workers showed significantly higher level of serum homocysteine (8.85 ± 2.16 vs. 9.42 ± 2.04 μmol/mL; <i>p</i> = 0.001). The OR of day workers against shift workers was 1.81 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25-2.63). With the adjustment of variables that may influence the level of serum homocysteine, the adjusted OR was 1.68 (95% CI: 1.09-2.60).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The serum homocysteine level was significantly higher in shift workers than in day workers. It is thus likely to be a useful predictor of CVD in shift workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"35 ","pages":"e4"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/e7/98/aoem-35-e4.PMC10089812.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9371284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Organic solvent exposure for the chronic kidney disease: updated systematic review with meta-analysis.","authors":"Chaeseong Lim,&nbsp;Hyeoncheol Oh","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e11","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Studies on the relationship between organic solvent exposure and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have presented inconsistent results. Definition of CKD has changed in 2012, and other cohort studies have been newly published. Therefore, this study aimed to newly confirm the relationship between organic solvent exposure and CKD through an updated meta-analysis including additional studies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was conducted on January 2, 2023 using Embase and MEDLINE databases. Case-control and cohort studies on the relationship between organic solvent exposure and CKD were included. Two authors independently reviewed full-text.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 5,109 studies identified, a total of 19 studies (control studies: 14 and cohort studies: 5) were finally included in our meta-analysis. The pooled risk of CKD in the organic solvent exposed group was 2.44 (1.72-3.47). The risk of a low-level exposure group was 1.07 (0.77-1.49). The total risk of a high-level exposure group was 2.44 (1.19-5.00). The risk of glomerulonephritis was 2.69 (1.18-6.11). The risk was 1.46 (1.29-1.64) for worsening of renal function. The pooled risk was 2.41 (1.57-3.70) in case-control studies and 2.51 (1.34-4.70) in cohort studies. The risk of subgroup classified as 'good' by the Newcastle Ottawa scale score was 1.93 (1.43-2.61).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study confirmed that the risk of CKD was significantly increased in workers exposed to mixed organic solvents. Further research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms and thresholds. Surveillance for kidney damage in the group exposed to high levels of organic solvents should be conducted.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>PROSPERO Identifier: CRD42022306521.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"35 ","pages":"e11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/c1/96/aoem-35-e11.PMC10277208.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9713558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between shift work and the risk of hypothyroidism in adult male workers in Korea: a cohort study","authors":"Seonghyeon Kwon, Yesung Lee, Eunhye Seo, Daehoon Kim, Jaehong Lee, Youshik Jeong, Jihoon Kim, Jinsook Jeong, Woncheol Lee","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e41","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e41","url":null,"abstract":"Background Shift work has been reported to have several harmful effects on the human body. However, a small number of studies have evaluated the association between shift work and adverse effects on the thyroid. In our longitudinal study, we examined the causal association between shift work and the risk of hypothyroidism. Methods A Kangbuk Samsung Cohort Study was conducted on 112,648 men without thyroid disease at baseline who were followed up at least once between 2012 and 2019. Shift work status and shift schedule types were categorized using standardized questionnaires. Hypothyroidism was defined using the reference ranges of serum thyroid-stimulating hormones and free thyroxine levels. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident hypothyroidism were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression analyses with the daytime work group as the reference. Results During the 501,237 person-years of follow-up, there were 6,306 incident cases of hypothyroidism (incidence density, 1.26 per 100 person-years). The multivariable-adjusted HR of incident hypothyroidism for the shift work total group that included all shifts compared with the daytime work group was 1.27 (95% CI: 1.15–1.40). For the fixed evening, fixed night, rotating shift, and other shift workers, the multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CI) were 1.11 (0.76–1.61), 2.18 (1.20–3.93), 1.39 (1.23–1.56), and 1.00 (0.82–1.22), respectively. In subgroup analyses by age, the association between shift work and hypothyroidism was more pronounced in younger participants (< 40 years; HR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.16–1.47). Conclusions Our large-scale cohort study showed an association between shift work and the incidence of hypothyroidism, especially in younger workers with night shifts.","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":"45 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135508204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relationship between chronotype and depressive symptoms among newly hired hospital nurses in the Republic of Korea.","authors":"Semi Lee,&nbsp;Han-Na Jung,&nbsp;Jia Ryu,&nbsp;Woo-Chul Jung,&nbsp;Yu-Mi Kim,&nbsp;Hyunjoo Kim","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e32","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e32","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study was conducted to examine the relationship between chronotype and depressive symptoms to provide grounded knowledge in establishing nurses' health promotion strategies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The subjects of this study were 493 newly hired nurses working in 2 general hospitals within the university from September 2018 to September 2020. Sociodemographic and work-related characteristics were collected from a medical examination database and a self-reported questionnaire. These included sex, age, marital status, living situation, education level, alcohol consumption, physical activity, prior work experience before 3 months, workplace, and departments. To analyze the associations between the chronotype and depressive symptoms, multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among participants, 9.1% had depressive symptoms and 16.4% had insomnia. The subjects are divided into morningness (30.2%), intermediate (48.7%), and eveningness (21.1%). The multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for age, living status, education level, alcohol consumption, physical activity, workplace, prior work experience before 3 months, and insomnia, revealed that the OR of depressive symptoms in the eveningness group was 3.71 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50-9.18) compared to the morningness group, and the R² value was 0.151. It also can be confirmed that insomnia symptoms have a statistically significant effect on depressive symptoms (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.03-4.52).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings suggest that evening-type nurses are more likely to have depression than morning-type nurses. We should consider interventions in a high-risk group such as the evening type nurses to reduce depressive symptoms in nurses.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e32"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/a1/75/aoem-34-e32.PMC9685292.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40518774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Approval status and characteristics of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Korean workers in 2020.","authors":"Eun-Woo Cha,&nbsp;Sae-Mi Jung,&nbsp;Il-Ho Lee,&nbsp;Dae Hwan Kim,&nbsp;Eui Hyek Choi,&nbsp;In-Ah Kim,&nbsp;Yong-Kyu Kim,&nbsp;Kyung-Joon Lee,&nbsp;Yang Won Kang,&nbsp;Ho-Gil Kim,&nbsp;Young-Ki Kim","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e31","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e31","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) in occupational disease claims and identify patterns of WRMSDs for each body part by industry and occupation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study analyzed the raw data of occupational disease claims for musculoskeletal disorders deliberated by the Occupational Disease Decision Committee of the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service in 2020. The data was classified into 6 body parts with the highest numbers of occupational disease cases by using the complete enumeration data on principal diagnoses and 4 types of subdiagnoses in the raw data. The characteristics and approval rates of WRMSDs by body part, industry and occupation were examined and summarized.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 13,015 occupational disease cases for WRMSDs were classified, and lumbar spinal (back) diseases accounted for the largest proportion of claimed diseases, followed by shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and neck diseases in a descending order. The occupations with the highest and second highest numbers of occupational disease cases by body part were found to be automobile assemblers and production-related elementary workers for the neck, school meal service workers and cooks for the back, construction frame mold carpenters and school meal service workers for the shoulder, elementary workers in mining and food service workers for the elbow, food service workers and automobile parts assemblers for the wrist, and ship welders and school meal service workers for the knee.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study examined the characteristics and approval status of WRMSDs by body part and occupation. Based on the study results, management strategies for the prevention of WRMSDs should be established regarding occupations with a high risk of WRMSDs for each body part.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e31"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/cd/27/aoem-34-e31.PMC9685293.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40518775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Standards for recognition and approval rate of occupational cerebro-cardiovascular diseases in Korea.","authors":"Ui-Jin Kim,&nbsp;Won-Jun Choi,&nbsp;Seong-Kyu Kang,&nbsp;Wanhyung Lee,&nbsp;Seunghon Ham,&nbsp;Junhyeong Lee,&nbsp;Yongho Lee,&nbsp;Eunseun Han,&nbsp;Sanghyuk Lee,&nbsp;Yongkyu Kim,&nbsp;Inah Kim","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e30","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e30","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although working hours have decreased in Korea, they are still high compared to that of other countries. In Korea, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs) related to overwork in Korea continually occur, and the social burden from overwork is estimated to be high. This study investigated the amendment of regulations affecting the approval rate of occupational CCVDs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The change in approval rate of occupational CCVDs and related regulations were investigated using the Act and public notice on the standards for recognition of occupational CCVDs and the yearbooks of the Ministry of Employment and Labor. The CCVD mortality was estimated using data on the number of deaths according to the cause of death, the number of employed people, and resident registration population aged 15-64 years. The cumulative mortality of CCVDs was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Since the establishment of the standards for recognition in Korea in 1982, the scope of occupational diseases has been expanded to include intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, myocardial infarction, and aortic dissection. In 2013, the concept of working hours was introduced in chronic overwork. The approval rate of occupational CCVDs was 44.7% in 2006, which decreased to 12.9% in 2011. After the improvement of related regulations, the approval rate increased to 41.3% in 2018. From 2000 to 2017, the CCVD mortality of both the unemployed and employed tended to decrease, and their cumulative CCVD mortalities were 549.3 and 319.7 per 100,000 people, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CCVDs are recognized as occupational diseases in Korea. The amendments to the standards for recognition, the introduction of the Occupational Disease Adjudication Committee, the principle of presumption, and the reduction of working hours have changed the approval rate of occupational CCVDs. A strategic approach is needed to further reduce the incidence of CCVDs.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e30"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/a1/ac/aoem-34-e30.PMC9685294.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40518776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hotel housekeepers and occupational health: experiences and perceived risks.","authors":"Xènia Chela-Alvarez,&nbsp;Oana Bulilete,&nbsp;Encarna Garcia-Illan,&nbsp;MClara Vidal-Thomàs,&nbsp;Joan Llobera","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e29","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e29","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hotel housekeepers are one of the most important occupational group within tourism hotel sector; various health problems related to their job have been described, above all musculoskeletal disorders. The objective of this study is to understand the experiences and perceptions of hotel housekeepers and key informants from the Balearic Islands (Spain) regarding occupational health conditions and the strategies employed to mitigate them.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative study was carried out. Six focus groups with hotel housekeepers and 10 semi-structured interviews with key informants were conducted. Next, we carried out a content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Hotel housekeepers reported musculoskeletal disorders, anxiety and stress as main occupational health problems; health professionals underscored the physical problems. Hotel housekeepers perceived that their work (physically demanding and with repetitive movements) caused their health conditions. To solve health issues, they used medication (anti-inflammatory agents, painkillers, sedatives and anxiolytics), which allowed them to continue working; health public services, generally rated as satisfactory; individual protective equipment; ergonomics (with difficulties due to high work pace and hotel facilities) and physical activity. Two contrasting attitudes were identified regarding sick leave: HHs who refused to accept a doctor-prescribed sick leave (due to fear of being fired, sense of responsibility, ...), and those who accepted it (because they could not continue working, they prioritised health before work).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results might contribute to plan improvement strategies and programs to address health problems among hotel housekeepers. These programs should include interventions, such as coping strategies for the work-related risk factors (i.e., stress) and strategies to reduce medicine consumption. Additionally, hotel facilities should adopt policies focused on making workplaces more ergonomic (i.e., furniture) and to diminish the work pace.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e29"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/3c/b5/aoem-34-e29.PMC9685295.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40518777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The acclimatization of Haenyeo to a cold environment and occupational characteristics evaluated by orexin and irisin levels.","authors":"Inho Lee,&nbsp;Yong-Jin Lee,&nbsp;Eun-Chul Jang,&nbsp;Soon-Chan Kwon,&nbsp;Young-Sun Min,&nbsp;Jisuk Yun,&nbsp;Taehwan Park,&nbsp;Hye-Jin Lee,&nbsp;Eonah Choo,&nbsp;Jeong-Beom Lee","doi":"10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e28","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e28","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Haenyeo is a woman who has the job of collecting seafood in the Jeju Sea at an average temperature of 13°C-14°C. The purpose of this study was to examine the cold acclimatization and occupational characteristics of Haenyeo through biomarkers such as orexin and irisin related to heat generation in the body.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-one Haenyeo and 25 people with similar age, body type, and body mass index were selected as the control group (Control G). In the cold exposure experiment, a climate chamber was set to 5°C and both feet were immersed in a 15°C water tank for 30 minutes. Tympanic temperature (T_ty) and skin temperature (T_sk) were measured, and the mean body temperature (mT_b) was calculated. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after the examination. Orexin and irisin levels were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Orexin levels were elevated after cold stimulation from 12.17 ± 4.44 to 12.95 ± 4.53 ng/mL (Haenyeo group [Haenyeo G], <i>p</i> < 0.01) and 10.37 ± 3.84 to 11.25 ± 4.02 ng/mL (Control G, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Irisin levels were elevated after cold stimulation from 4.83 ± 2.28 to 5.36 ± 2.23 ng/mL (Haenyeo G, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and 3.73 ± 1.59 to 4.18 ± 2.04 ng/mL (Control G, <i>p</i> < 0.001). The difference between Haenyeo G and Control G values in orexin and irisin appears not only in pre-exposure but also in post-exposure (<i>p</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our experimental results suggest that Haenyeo G were relatively superior in cold tolerance to Control G under cold exposure conditions. Haenyeo's cold acclimatization is due to the basic differences in pyrogens regarding body temperature control such as orexin and irisin. This means that Haenyeo are advantageous for cold survival.</p>","PeriodicalId":46631,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"e28"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2022-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/12/e1/aoem-34-e28.PMC9685290.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40711987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}